MICKY MELLON paid tribute to Tannadice legend Jim McLean ahead of Dundee United’s trip to Celtic tomorrow.
McLean, who passed away this weekend at the age of 83, led United to their only league championship in 1983 after transforming the fortunes of the Tayside club.
And current manager Mellon believes the Tannadice outfit would not be the club they are today without the services of McLean.
He said: “It was a sad day. It was pleasing to see how people reflect on the time that Jim McLean had here.
“Some of the comments that we’ve seen from guys right at the top end of the game and fans from all over the place show you the esteem that he was held in and the job that he did here.
“We always look for the kind of positives in that, but our thoughts are absolutely with his family at the minute.
“They have lost a father and a grandad, and someone has lost their brother and all that kind of stuff, so we send our condolences, and our thoughts are with them.
“Jim McLean will never be forgotten here at Dundee United. He is absolutely the man who helped create the great football club that it is today.”
Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Parkhead, United defender Mark Connolly added: “I think the manager has been right at times we need to be more defensive minded and it has worked.
“We have dragged out points that we probably wouldn’t have got before. He has let the leash off a little bit.
"We've just got to keep getting results and points. It is our first time back in the Premiership in a few years and I think we're doing quite well."
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